Meet Me Monday: Makayla Jarman spreads gospel through song

Most middle-schoolers haven’t had the opportunities to hone skills and talents that will provide them with recognition like they may see in later years. Makayla Jarman — a rising eighth-grader at E.B. Frink Middle School — is a major exception.

LA GRANGE — Most middle-schoolers haven’t had the opportunities to hone skills and talents that will provide them with recognition like they may see in later years. Makayla Jarman — a rising eighth-grader at E.B. Frink Middle School — is a major exception.

Jarman has accomplished plenty at the tender age of 13, opening up for many famous Christian artists, along with performing in several plays at North Lenoir High School.

Cynthia Jarman — Makayla’s mother — noticed the talent her daughter had at a very young age while leading the song ministry at Bethany Free Will Baptist Church in Albertson.

“I’m a choir director at the church and she would sing at the rehearsals,” Jarman said. “Soon, it went from her just going to the rehearsals to singing in the choir.”

The Jarmans joined Spiritual Remedy — a singing group — in 2004. At 4, Makayla was the youngest member in the group. After four years, Cynthia made the decision to take Makayla out of the group.

“I made the decision to pull Makayla out of Spiritual Remedy,” Cynthia Jarman said. “They were a younger group, with most members being 17 to 19. I wanted her more around people my age with more of a mature mind state.”

The Jarmans joined another singing group — The Remnant — in 2008. Remnant organizer Roderick Stevenson was impressed by Makayla’s poise, maturity and talent at such a young age.

“The concept of The Remnant is to pull together those who have the common bond of music and ministry,” Stevenson said. “Makayla always showed love and passion for those and she was very advanced for her age level. I enjoyed her being a part of The Remnant and watched her development — opening for national artists, taping for TV shows, singing at workshops and conferences. Her gifts and talents were refined and exposed at a young age.”

Makayla and Cynthia Jarman don’t sing with The Remnant as frequently now, mostly because of Stevenson’s move to Arkansas.

“Minister Stevenson felt like he needed to make changes in life and establish a different ministry,” Cynthia Jarman said.

Stevenson still welcomes the Jarmans with open arms when they can connect.

“We sing together periodically,” Stevenson said. “They are very vital parts of what we do as a ministry and we support them 100 percent.”

Makayla Jarman has performed mainly in the East Coast, and sang at Kinston’s Gear Up program recently. Although Jarman has been doing events for a while, stepping out of the comfort zone of churches was a bit unnerving to her.

“Traveling is very different because I’m used to singing in churches and traveling with my grandfather, who is a pastor,” Jarman said. “I was used to the people at my church. Still, it was a great experience ministering in front of others in different states.”

Page 2 of 2 - Even though Jarman has traveled and made a name for herself, she has no interest in being the next pop music sensation. Although many famous singers started in churches, Jarman is more than satisfied with the direction she is taking.

“Gifts and talents can be used in different ways, and it all comes from God,” Jarman said. “I would rather keep my talents in gospel.”

For now, the Jarmans are just waiting on the opportunity to deliver the gospel through voice.

“Whenever we have the chance to sing, we’re ready,” Makayla Jarman said. “Sometimes people ask me to sing at an event and my mom takes the calls. If we can make it, we do, but if we’re busy, we have to decline. Either way, it’s a good thing to be asked.”

To listen to clips of Jarman’s music, go to soundcloud.com/malexisbaby.

Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.

Breakout box:

Name: Makayla Jarman

Age: 13

School: E.B. Frink Middle School, rising 8th-grader

Want to hear her? To listen to clips of Jarman’s music, go to soundcloud.com/malexisbaby.